Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-07-23
Trough the half darkness and the jostling

through the half darkness and the jostling
crowd.
We had an hour to wait, and l could
hidden his wings. We could not be unso-
ciable here, however we might have been
under the restraint of the car.
l dispatched messenger for tray of
edibles, inwardly thanking those masters
of the public Who recognize at all hours
our human needs. In few moments We
were conversing over cups of coffee and
biscuit, and she was passing her judgment
upon the merits of delicate cake called
"angers food" She told me its name, for
how could |, fresh from the backwoods,
know about these things? But she laughed
in hearty, musical way when | told her
that | was glad to find that the waiter had
so much discernment as to recognize her
proper food.
~ think our missionary has disap-
peared," she said. "He does not seem to
be among this waiting company"
Just as she spoke we heard the clatter
of sharp heel on the stone floor. Both
of US looked involuntarily in the direc-
ton of the sound, when behold old
whitehead, with a police officer at his
elbow.
"Ah, the rogue has been captured
That is good, said l. But no; he walked
up to us and stopped before us with the
words, :" This is the person"
Madam" said the officer, :" must ask
you to come with me-"
sprang up and grasped the officer in
the clutch of desperate man. White
head stood just beyond my reach
"What does this mean? You shall
not arrest an innocent lady"
You are an accomplice," he said. 81
am afraid / shall have to detain you
BOTH
At once it flashed over me that our
missionary" had made capital out of his
gray hairs.
| sprang upon him like tiger and
ripped off the gray wig, casting it down
and stepping on it; next came the false
beard, without mercy, and he vainly
struggled in my grasp, q transformed
man. The transformation at once dis
closed to the police officer face that he
thought he had seen before. A signal
was given and several other members OF
police were summoned and surrounded
him.
As he was marched away, fighting to
free himself, the first officer returned to
us, making some attempt at an apology.
| We are sometimes liable to mistakes.
but we do the best we can. You have
done US great service, but the law will
| detain you both rs witnesses. | am sorry,
but | have no choice but to bid you re-
main few hours at least. We will try
to make you as comfortable as possible.
| The Delavan is close at hand You will
find comfortable quarters there until you
are called upon. have strong suspicious
that this affair has turned out very differ
emily from what that old fellow expected.
He thought to divert suspicion from him
self, no doubt, by q counter-march against
you, and you were too quick for him.
Where did he board the car ?" told the
name of the city.
| Right. Suspicion points still more
strongly. He is, l am almost sure, one of
gang of robbers who entered house
in that vicinity, gagged and tied the in
mates, and left them to die; but the peo-
pie were fortunately rescued. The vii
lains until now had escaped"
| What was the complaint against US %
That you or the lady had taken val
liable fur cap He insisted that it was con-
cealed in your traveling-bag that he
could bring forward proof"
Ny young lady, with a quick, inyolun-
tary motion opened her handbag, and 10
there was the identical cap. She threw
both bag and cap on the floor in disgust,
and shrank from them as if they had, been
polluted. shall never touch the bag
again." she said.
You have been made the victim OF
some deep laid design" said the officer
but he has been caught in his own
snare. You shall be called upon just as
soon as possible. l regret the circum-
stances exceedingly" he continued, as !
furnished him with my name and the
young lady also gave him hers "In the
| interest of justice" he said at parting.
Z" | would wait a week to see the rogue
committed" said |, turning to her ques-
tioningly.
We cannot do otherwise now," she re-
piled but ! must telegraph home. They
looked for me before dark, and here it is
midnight"
| took her arefully-worded telegram
and despatched it. l only feared that il
would bring some father Or uncle to her
| L
sition of protector.
Tier mime, then, was Laura Somerville
and her home was New York city. She
had sent the telegram 10 her father. She
evidently was not married, or she would
have sent to her husband. SO far, so good
We concluded to walk over to the Della
van, but felt in no hurry about it. 1t was
so near morning we would not rouse the
porters any earlier than was necessary.
Stepping TO the door noticed that
a light snow was falling. The stars were
paling before the late dawn of a December
morning. Returning, l proposed an early
sleigh-ride. Almost to my surprise she
consented.
Indeed" she said, AZ cannot have
any hesitation when you have been 50
kind"
/ had an idea, and it was this: the
sleighride should be in the direction OF
my mothers residence. On the way |
would tell Miss Somerville of my long
absence. If she proved willing, we would
go there, and thus she would not only
come to know my people, but she might
he made more comfortable during her
detention. | soon had the sleigh and
robes III readiness, having left my ad-
dress where the chief might find it, if we
were needed.
Rapidly the sleigh flew over the ground.
We met the milLmen with their laden
cans and the market sleighs in their early
journeys.
We felt unusually merry for travellers
who had been up all night, and who had
been exposed TO dangers seen and unseen.
| told her then about my wanderings, as |
had intended, and made my appeal.
By all means" she said, with glad
emphasis. 81 would not be willing to keep
you moment longer from them"
Both mother and Mary were on the
lookout for me, for the second train was
overdue, and they had been feeling
anxious. Both came down the steps in
their hurry to greet me.
Is this your rife, Marshall? WHY did
you not tell us ?" Ny mother was helping
her out, and kissed her with fond welcome
before had time 70 explain.
A bright blush suffused her check and
brow. Probably, man as | was, the blush
was reflected in my own face, for this
was reception such as had not thought
of; but l soon introduced her, and as |
had no prudish maiden to deal with, il